DUMPING GROUND FOR BULK REFUSE FOR JURONG INDUSTRIAL ESTATE

Mr Low Guan Onn asked the Minister for Health if a dumping ground for bulk refuse can be provided near to the Jurong Industrial Estate, as great expense is at present being caused to Jurong factory owners on haulage of bulk refuse to the nearest dumping ground at Tampines which is about 25 miles from Jurong Town, and as more and more industries are being established in the Estate.

Mr Chua Sian Chin: Mr Speaker, Sir, the need for the sanitary disposal of both domestic refuse and trade waste from the Jurong New Town and the Jurong Industrial Estate has been envisaged in the health planning requirements of the Ministry of Health.

It is realised that the long haulage for disposal at the Tampines Dumping Ground for refuse collected in the Jurong Industrial Estate has caused inconvenience and extra expense to the Jurong factory owners. The problem of distance has been aggravated by the closure of the former dumping ground at Clementi Road in 1966 by an important Government development near this Clementi Road site. Planning approval has already been obtained from the Planning Department for the development of a refuse dumping ground, conveniently located for the Jurong Industrial Estate, off 16 ms. Chua Chu Kang Road. Necessary steps for revoking the temporary occupation licences of this site and for the re-settlement of persons affected are being taken by the Commissioner of Lands.

Development of supporting facilities at the dumping ground is being processed. Among these is the provision of a bulldozer, for which approval for the purchase has only just been approved by the Ministry of Finance. Complementary facilities like a site office and stores are also required. The provision of a vehicle weighbridge for the purpose of work control will be included in the development of this site. It is expected that before the end of the year this new dumping ground will be in operation.